Surprise!

Last week Jon and I spent a glorious long weekend riding the motorcycle at the riders retreat. We had a blast and made plans to meet up with some new friends later this fall if we have time. It was a much needed break from our incredibly stressful life.

But it really, really made me want my own motorcycle. I've been wanting my own for quite some time. But when I went into the dealership right before the retreat to buy new gloves, I saw a beautiful Honda. I might have fallen in love just a bit. 

We spent most of the time on the back of the bike. It was the perfect combination of weather and roads. So there are very few pictures. Most of them are of Jon. =)

 

We returned to piles and piles of work and stress.

Today I was so overwhelmed I cried. I made sure no one was around. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I have an incredible life. I am blessed beyond measure. But I'm just barely treading water with everything going on right now. And just it hit me. So I prayed and spent some time with my Bible study ladies. 

This evening Jon came home and wanted to leave immediately to pick up some stuff at Lowes. His urgency was a bit out of the norm, but I figured he wanted to get started on the tile since he'll be in Chattanooga the rest of the week.

I walked out to this!

My amazingly sweet husband spent his bonus on me.

Words cannot describe how excited I am. 

I have my very own motorcycle!

 I will probably still steal rides on the back of his bike. I really enjoy riding with him. But now I get to ride by myself too.

From my iPod

I'm trying out my new toy to see how posting works. It's a lot slower typing. I love this. I'm at my hair appt. typing a blog. How cool is that?!

My birthday present

Jon got me the coolest birthday present.

It is an iPod Touch Next Generation.

Whatever that is supposed to mean.

To me it means that I now have an even better something 

than my palm and my MP3 player in one device.

The camera isn't bad either.

I had no idea how to use this thing.
So I'm learning as I go.

But regardless, I'm in love.

Pre-Birthday celebration

Because it's my birthday I've decided to put this on my blog instead of the family one, even though it involves them also.

I've signed up for all of the restaurants email clubs and some will send you coupons for free things on your birthday.

The first one was for IHOP. My coupon was for this -

Strawberry cheesecake pancakes.

The waiter had the crazy idea that I might only want the 1/2 size of this yummy wonderfulness.

Crazy guy!

Jon's was almost as good. It was a cinnamon syrup something.

The second coupon was for free ice cream at Marble Slab.

(And in case you are wondering - we didn't go on the same day.)

The kids sat at their own table and ate sugar free ice cream. So it was nice during AND after. =)

I really love birthdays!

Christmas presents

I wanted one specific thing for Christmas this year.

I wanted a new watch.

And not just any watch. I wanted a specific Citizen watch.

So I went to the store and picked it out. I took a picture and got all of the details, including the name of the clerk who had helped me.

Then when I met Jon for lunch I told him to go get it after work since they were having a sale that ended that night.

That night when he came home from work he had the bag in his hand. =)

But he wouldn't let me have it. I had to wait for Christmas.

The week before Christmas Jon got my present out from under the tree and gave it to me.

He told me that since the gift wasn't a surprise, the time when I received it should be.

I was so excited.

I had finally gotten him something that he'd been hinting at for quite some time.

Jon wanted a Play Station.

I had several reasons for not wanting him to get it.

1. He was in school (flight) when he first started really talking about it and I never saw him as it was. I certainly didn't want to become a PS widow.

2. Most of the games are rated T or above for some form of violence. Not exactly something I want my son to be copying.

3. I've heard of the harmful effects that too much tv and gaming can do to young children. Right now my kids love to play outside. I don't want this to change.

4. It costs a ton of money and we had so many other things that just came higher on the list.

So this year I decided to change my mind. We could work around most of the issues and Jon is due for some fun things. He became a widower the 2nd I put those books on the shelves. So he needs something to do when I am reading. =)

I purchased a game and put a card with it saying that the PS3 was his gift, but he would get to pick out exactly what he wanted.

The day I got my watch I met Jon for lunch. He was telling me about how his co-workers had found an amazing deal on a PS3. 

"It's the best deal that I'm probably going to find."

So I went a head and told him about his gift and that day he went back to work and purchased it.

He got it before Christmas.

Jon and I rarely do Christmas presents the way most people do.

Usually we pick a large gift that we both want and just buy it.

But this year was fun.

I'm benefiting from Jon's present (more on that later) and Dominic is learning to play just a little bit.

I've been impressed with how patient Jon is when teaching Dominic to play. He never raises voice or gets frustrated when Dominic can't seem to grasp a concept.

Every once in a while Dominic will have Jon get help him get through a stage. It's so cute.

But my fears of Dominic not wanting to play other things or becoming a coach potato are so far unfounded.

Jon doesn't let Dominic play very much.

And if you watch Dominic he is completely into the "sport". It's so funny.

Quite a bit of rambling, but I'm thankful for my Christmas present and I'm glad that Jon likes his as well.